The authors of this report wish to acknowledge the assistance of many individuals
who contributed to this study. Peggy Halpern from the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, the project officer for the study, provided invaluable
guidance throughout the course of the study and contributed helpful comments
on both the form and substance of this report. Dr. Halpern and her ASPE colleague
Walter Leginski provided the project vision and research questions that served
as the basis of the study and contributed to an ongoing dialogue as our work
progressed. Canta Pian of ASPE provided essential direction throughout the
project.

We are also grateful to members of the Technical Expert Panel (TEP), who
brought their broad range of knowledge and experience to this project at
both its early and late stages. TEP members were Amy Baker, Robert Battjes,
Denise Juliano-Bult, Ronna Cook, Dennis Culhane, Peter Delaney, Deborah Dennis,
Wayne Fenton, James Herrell, Mary Ellen Hombs, Robert Keane, Debra Rog, Marian
Schwager, Mary Bruce Webb, Michael Wiseman, and Marty Zanghi. Howard Goldman
served as cofacilitator for the TEP.

We are grateful to several Westat colleagues who contributed to this effort.
Janet Ciarico and Jane Mettenburg assisted with foster care site visits.
John Rogers assisted with statistical issues, and Robert Orwin provided research
methodology consultation. Susan Azrin provided editorial assistance, and
Jeanie Kemp provided word processing and other administrative support throughout
the project. Martha Franklin and Jenny Crabb provided assistance with style
review and production of this final product.

We are particularly grateful to the primary contacts and other staff members
who represented the sites participating in the documentary analysis and site
visit aspects of this study. While study protocol prohibits naming institutions
or individuals, their contribution to this process was quite significant.
Nineteen sites participating in the documentary analysis phase provided documents
related to their discharge planning process. In addition, they provided
information and clarification through telephone discussions, and access to
other staff members when appropriate. Eight sites selected for site visits
provided additional information; access to clinical, administrative, and
IT staff for onsite interviews; introductions to community programs with
which they work; and scheduling and logistics support for our visits. Their
gifts of time, knowledge, experience, and hospitality are much appreciated,
as is their dedication to the populations they serve. Staff members of
collaborating agencies in the communities we visited also contributed a great
deal to our knowledge and understanding of the challenges of discharge planning
for those persons experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.